Who should take the new ball?

[cantab]

After todays game there is little doubt that Asif is the best man for the job despite some PPers labelling him a "test bowler".

I was really perplexed when after the first ODI some people wanted Rana or Gul to take the new ball over Asif. Thank God Sami is not in the squad otherwise we would have seen countless "Sami support threads".

It is time we get over the speed euphoria and realize that speed alone does not make a successful opening bowler.

[Afridi_Fan]

and :aamir

[cantab]

Originally Posted by Afridi_Fan and :aamir

Exactly. And it is about time we realize their superiority over the rest of our bowlers.

[Prince of Pakistan]

Obviously ASIF and AAMER ! they are our BEST new ball bowlers.

We really missed Asif today

[Dubawi]

Rao

[Dr_Bassim]

The question is .. what to do .. in times when Asif is not available

[Yaser]

the umpire; and make sure he keeps it.

[Sohaib-789]

Asif and Aamer
or Asif and Rana

[in_cutter]

This is what Pak cricket is missing..



sheer pace :younis

[MalikMohsin]

I don't think people are gonna like for what i am about to say.

Ever since, Shoaib and Asif were involved in drug controversies, Gul tried his best to lead the bowling with new ball, but went unsuccessfully. It was Sohail Tanveer who has carried bowling attack alone, and done well with new ball. Because of one poor T20, and people started to judge him pretty quickly.

Mohammad Asif along with Mohammad Aamer and Sohail Tanveer would be ideal bowling for the longer version knowing that all of them are successfully with new ball, but the problem is, PCB along the public will continue to overlook Sohail Tanveer because of pace he doesn't possess even though he does bowl in right areas. That is what we need.

Umar Gul, Rana, Mohammad Sami never were bowlers for longer version in the first place, but people will want them back simply because of their performances in T20, and just like Rana case in The Big Bash T20. That is totally unacceptable.

On the other hand, we also need extra fast bowler or fast bowler with bonus batting. The last thing we need is Abdul Razzaq who has had opportunity to prove for the past five years, but remained unsuccessfully, and i think it is better to move on and start to groom new alrounder like Anwar Ali.

I curse the day when PCB appointed Younus Khan, and mainly the reason for recalling almost every ICL cricketers back.

[cantab]

Originally Posted by MalikMohsin I don't think people are gonna like for what i am about to say. Ever since, Shoaib and Asif were involved in drug controversies, Gul tried his best to lead the bowling with new ball, but went unsuccessfully. It was Sohail Tanveer who has carried bowling attack alone, and done well with new ball. Because of one poor T20, and people started to judge him pretty quickly. Mohammad Asif along with Mohammad Aamer and Sohail Tanveer would be ideal bowling for the longer version knowing that all of them are successfully with new ball, but the problem is, PCB along the public will continue to overlook Sohail Tanveer because of pace he doesn't possess even though he does bowl in right areas. That is what we need. Umar Gul, Rana, Mohammad Sami never were bowlers for longer version in the first place, but people will want them back simply because of their performances in T20, and just like Rana case in The Big Bash T20. That is totally unacceptable. On the other hand, we also need extra fast bowler or fast bowler with bonus batting. The last thing we need is Abdul Razzaq who has had opportunity to prove for the past five years, but remained unsuccessfully, and i think it is better to move on and start to groom new alrounder like Anwar Ali. I curse the day when PCB appointed Younus Khan, and mainly the reason for recalling almost every ICL cricketers back.

I would like to raise some points regarding your post.

Tanveer needs to work on his bowling and fitness. He can then be a handful in ODIs and T20s. But he is not test class.

Sami in ODIs is better than Sami in tests.

Unfortunately we don't have a proper fast/medium fast bowling all-rounder at the moment. Arafat, Razzaq, Rana and Anwar Ali are the closest but none fits the role perfectly. I think Rana is not a bad choice.